sheep do stâ—nd his Holy Martyrs who For his dear Name suffering shame calamity and woe Like Champions stood and with their blood their Testimony sealed Whose innocence without offâ—nce to Christ their Judge appealed XXIII Next unto whom there find a room all Christs â—fflicted oneâ— Who being chastis'd neither despis'd nor sank amidsts their gâ—oans Who by the Rod were turn'd to God and loved him the more Nâ—â— murmuring nor quarrellingâ— when they were chast'ned sore XXIV Moreover such as loved much that had not such a trial As might constrain to so great pain and such deep selâ—-denial Yet ready were the Cross to bear when Christ them call'd thereto And did rejoyce to hear his voice they 'r counted Sheep also XXV Christ's flock of Lambs there also stands whose Faith was weak yet true All sound Believers Gospel-receivers whose grace was small but grew And them among an infant throng of Babes for whom Christ dy'd Whom â—or his own by ways unknown to men he sanctify'd XXVI All stand before their Saviour in long white Robes â—clad Their countenance â—ull of pleasance appearing wondrous glad O glorious sight I behold how bright dust heaps are made to shine Conformed so their Lord unto whose glory is divine XXVII At Christs left hand the Goats do stand all whining Hypocrites Who for self-ends did seem Christ's friends but fost'red guileful sprites Who Sheep resembled but they dissembled their heart was not sincere Who once did throng Christ's Lambs among but now must not come near XXVIII Apostata's and Run-away's such as have Christ forsaken Of whom the the Devil with seven more evil hath fresh possession taken Sinners in grain reserv'd to pain and torments most severe Because 'gainst light they sinn'd with spight are also placed there XXIX There also stand a num'rous band that no profession made Of Godliness nor to redress their wayes at all assay'd Who better knew but sinâ—ul Crewâ— Gospel and Law despised Who all Christ's knocks withstood like blocks and would not be advised XXX Moreover there with them appear a number numberless Of great and small vile wretches all that did Gods Law transgress Idolaters false Worshippers Prophaners of Gods Name Who not at all thereon did call or took in vain the same XXXI Blasphemers lewd and Swearers shrewd Scoffers at Purity That hated God contemn'd his Rod and lov'd security Sabbath-polluters Saints Persecuters Presumptuous men and Proud Who never lov'd those that reprov'd all stand amongst this crowd XXXII Adulterers and Whoremongers were there with all unchast There Covetouâ— and Ravenous that Riches got too fast Who us'd vile ways themselves to raise t' Estates and worldly wealth Oppression by or Knavery by Force or Fraud or Stealth XXXIII Moreover there together were Children flâ—gitious And Parents who did them undo by nature vicious False-witness-bearers and self-forswearers Murd'rers and men of blood Witches Inchanters and Alehouse-haunters beyond account there stood XXXIV Their place there find all Heathen blind that Natures light abused Although they had no tidings glad of Gospel-grace reâ—used There stand all Nations and Generations of Adam's Progeny Whom Christ redeem'd not who Christ esteem'd not throught infidelity XXXV Who no Peace-maker no Undertaker to shrowd them from God's ire Ever obtained they must be pained with everlasting fire These num'rous bands wringing their hands and weeping all stand there Filled with anguish whose hearts do languish through self-tormenting fear XXX Fast by them stand at Christ's left hand the Lion fierce and fell The Dragon bold that Serpent old that hurried Souls to Hell There also stand under command Legions of Sprights unclean And hellish Fiends that are no friends to God nor unto men XXXVII With dismal chains and strong reins like prisoners of Hell They 'r held in place before Christ's face till he their Doom shall tell These void of tears but fill'd with fears and dreadful expectation Of endless pains and scalding flames stand waiting for Damnation XXXVIII All silence kept both Goats and Sheep before the Judges Throne With mild aspect to his Elect then spake the Holy One My Sheep draw near your sentence hear which is to you no dread Who clearly now discern and know your sins are pardoned XXXIX 'T was meet that ye should judged be that so the world may ' spy No cause of grudge when as I judge and deal impartially Know therefore all both great and small the ground and reason why These men do stand at my right hand and look so chearfully XL. These men be those my Father chose before the world's foundation And to me gave that I should save from death and condemnation For whose dear sake I flesh did take was of a woman born And did inure my self t' endure unjust reproach and scorn XLI For them it was that I did pass through sorrows many a one That I drank up that bitter Cup which made me sigh and groan The Cross his pain I did sustain yea more my Fathers ire I under-went my bloud I spent to save them from Hell fire XLII Thus I esteem'd thus I redeem'd all these from every Nation that they might be as now you see a chosen Generation What if ere-while they were as vile and bad as any be â—nd yet from all their guilt and thrall at once I set them free XLIII My grace to one is wrong to none none can Election claim Amongst all those their souls that lose none can Rejection blame He that may chuse or else refuse all men to save or spill May this man chuse and that refuse redeeming whom he will XLIV But as for those whom I have chose Salvations heirs to be I uâ—derwent their punishment and therefore set them free I bore their grief and their relief by suffering procur'd That they of bliss and happiness â—ight firmly be assur'd XLV And this my gâ—ace they did embrace believing on my name Which Faith was true the fruits do shew proceeding from the same Their Penitence their Patience their Love their Self-denâ—al In suffering losses and bearing crosses when put upon the trial XLVI Their sin forsaking their cheerful taking my yoke their chariâ—ee Unto the Saints in all their wants and in them unto me These things do clear and make appear their Faith to be unfeigned And that a part in my desert and purchase they have gained XLVII Their debts are paid their peace is made their sins remitted are Therefore at once I do pronounce and openly declare That Heaven is theirs that they be Heirâ— of Life and of Salvation Nor ever shall they come at all to death or to damnation XLVIII Come blessed ones and sit on Thrones judging the world with me Come and possess your happiness and bought â—elicitee Henceforth no fears no care no tears no sin shal you annoy Nor any thing that grief doth bring eternal rest enjoy XLIX You bore the Cross you suffered loss of all â—or my Names sake Receive the Crown that 's now your own come and a kingdom take
quite disgrace my cheer LXXVII Durst you draw near without due fear unto my holy Table Duâ—st you prophane and render vain so far as you were able Those Mysteries which whoso prize and carefully improve Shall saved be undoubtedly and nothing shall them move LXXVIII How duâ—st you venture bold guests to enter in such a â—ordid hiâ—e Amongst my guests unto those feasts that were not made for you How durst you eat for spir'tual meat your bane and drink damnation Whilst by your guile you rendred vile so rare and great salvation LXXIX Your fancies fed on heav'nly bread your hearts fed on some lust You lov'd the Creature more then th'Creator your soules clave to the dust And think you by hypocrisie and cloaked wickedness To enter in laden with sin to lasting happiness LXXX This your excuse shews your abuse of things ordain'd for good And do declare you guilty are of my dear Flesh and Bloud Wherefore those Seals and precious Meals you put so much upon As things divine they seal and sign you to perdition LXXXI Then forth issue another Crew those being silenced Who drawing nigh to the most High adventure thus to plead We sinners were say they 't is clear deserving Condemnation But did not we rely on thee O Christ for whole Salvation LXXXII We did believe and of receive thy gracious Promises We took great care to get a share in endless happiness We pray'd and wept we Fast-days kept lewd ways we did eschew We joyful were thy Word to hâ—ar we foâ—m'd our lives anew LXXXIII We thought our sin had pardon'd biâ— that our estate was good Our debts all paid â—ur peace well made our Souls washâ— wiâ—h â—hy Bâ—oud Lord why dost thou rejâ—ct us now who have not thee rejected Nor utterly true sanctity and holy liâ—e neglected LXXXIV The Judge inceâ—sed at their pretenced self-vaunting piety With such a look as trembling strook into them made reply O impudent impeniâ—ent and guileâ—ul generation Think you that I cannot descry your hearts abomination LXXXV You not receiv'd nor yet believâ—d my promises of grace Nor were you wise enough to prize my reconciled face But did presume that to assume which was not yours to take And challenged the childrens bread yet would not sin forsake LXXXVI Bâ—ing too bold you laid fast hold where int'â—est you had none Your selves deceiving by your believing all which you might have known You â—an away but ran astray with Gospel promises And perished being still dead in sins and trespasseâ— LXXXVII How oft did I hypocrisie and hearts deceits unmask Before your sight giving you lighâ— to know a Christians task But you held fast unto the last your own conceits so vain No warning could prevail you would your own deceits reâ—ain LXXXVIII As for your care to get a share in bliss the fear of Hell And of a part in endless smart did thereunto compel Your holiness and ways redress such as it was did spring From no true love to things above but from some other thing LXXXIX You pray'd and wept you Fast-days kept but did you this to me No but for â—â—n you sought to win the greater liberteâ— For all your vaunts you had vile haunt's for which your consciences Did you alarm whose voice to charm you us'd these practises XC Your penitence your diligence to read to pray to hear Were but to drown the clam'rous sound of conscience in your eaâ—â— If light you lov'd vain-glory mov'd your selves therewith to store Thâ—t seeming wise men might you prize and honour you the more XCI Thus from your selves unto your selves your duties all do tend And as self-self-love the wheels do move so in self-self-love they end Thus Châ—ist detects their vain projects and close impiety And plainly shews that all their shows were but hypocrisie XCII Then were brought nigh a company of â—ivil honest men That lov'd true dealing and hated stealing â—e wrong'd their brethren Who pleaded thus Thou knowest us that we were blameleâ—s livers No whore-mongers no murderers no quarrellers nor strivers XCIII Idolaters Adulterers Church-robbers we were none Nor false dealers nor couzeners but paid each man his own Our way was fair our dealing square we were no wastful spenders No lewd toss-pots no drunken sots no scandalous offenders XCIV We hated vice and set great price by vertuous conversation And by the same we got a name and no small commendation God's Laws express that righteousness is that which he doth prize And to obey as he doth say is more then sacrifice XCV Thus to obey hath been our way let our good deeds we pray Find some regard and good rewaâ—d with thee O Lord this day And whereas we transgressors be of Adam's Race were nâ—ne No not the best but have confesâ—â—â— themselves to hâ—ve misâ—one XCVI Then answered unâ—o their dread the Judge True piety God doth desire and eke requiâ—e no less then honesty Justice demands at all your hands perfect Obedience If but in part you have come shâ—â—â— that is a just offence XCVII On earth below where men did owe a thousand pounds and more Could twenty pence it recompence could that have clear'd the score Think you to buy felicity with part of what 's due debt Oâ— for desert of one small part the whole should off be set XCVIII And yet that part whose great desert you think to reach so far For your excuse doth you accuse and will your boasting mar However fair however square your way and work hâ—th bin Before mens eyes yet God espies iniquity therein XCIX God looks upon th'â—ffâ—ction and temper of the heart Not only on the action and the external part Whatever end vain men pretend God knows the vâ—riâ—yâ— And by the end which they intend their words and deeds doth try C. Without true faith the Scripture saith God cannot take delight In any deed that doth proceed from any siâ—ful wight And withouâ— love all actions prove but barren empty things Dead works they be and vanity the which vexation brings CI. Nor from true faith which quencheth wrath hath your obedience flown Nor from true love which wont to move believers hath it grown Your argument shews your intent in all that you have done You thought to â—cale heavens lofty wall by ladders oâ— your own CII Your blinded spirit hoping to merit by your own righteousness Needed no Saviour but your bâ—haviour and blameless caâ—riagesâ— You trusted to what you could do and in no need you stood Your haughty pride laid me aside and trampled on my Bloud CIII All men have gone astray and done that which God's Lawâ— condemn But my Purchase and offered Grace all men did not contemn The Ninevites and Sodomites had no such sin as this Yet as if all your sins were small you say All did amiss CIV Again you thought and mainly sought a name with men t' acquire Pride bare the Bâ—ll that made you swell and your own selves admire Mâ—an fruiâ— it is and vile I wis that spâ—ings from
Climb up by them to Diadems and Thrones Thy Crowns are all but Grass thine was the toil Thy Captains come and they divide the spoil Except one heav'nly Crown crown all the rest Devils are Potentates and yet not blest Go on base dunghil-souls heap gold as miâ—â— Sweep silver as the dust emulate Tyre Fill every Ware-house purchase every Field Add house to house Pelion on Ossa build â—â—t Mida's vote to transubstantiate â—hate'r you plâ—ase all into golden plate â—uild wider Barns sing requiem to your heart â—eel your wealths pleasures only not their smart Except his Riches who for us was poor Do sweeten those which Mortals so adore Except sublimer wealth crown all the rest Devils have nobler Treasures yet not blest Cease then from vain delights set your minâ— Tâ—at solid and enduring GOOD to fiâ—d Which sweetens life and death which will encrease Oâ— an immortal Soul immorâ—al peace Which will replenish and advance you higher Then ere your own Ambition could aspire Fear your great Maker with a child-like aw Believe his Grace love and obey his Law This is the total work of man and this Will crown you here with Peace and there wiâ—â— Blisâ— Be kind unto your selves believe and try If not go on fill up your lusts and die Sing peace unto your selves 't will once be knoâ— Whose word shall stand your Judg's or your owâ— Crown thee with Rose-buds satiate thine eyes Glut every sense with her own vanities Melt into pleasures until that which Lust Dâ—d not before consume rot into dust The Thrones are set the Books wil strait be reaâ— Hell will her Souls graves give up their deaâ— Then there will be and the time is not far Fiâ—e on the Bench and Stubble at the Bar. O sinners ruminate these thoughts agen You have been Beast enough at last be Men. Chrisâ— â—et intreats but if you will not turn Wheâ—e Gâ—â—ce will not convert there Fire wil bâ—â—â— A SHORT DISCOURSE ABOUT ETERNITY I. WHat mortal man can wiâ—h hâ—s span mete out Eternity Or fathom it by depth of wit or strength of memory The lofty skie is not so high hell's depth to this is small The world so wide is but a stride compâ—red herewithall II. It is a main great Ocean withouten Bank or Bound A deep Abyss wherein there is no bottom to be found This world hath stood now since the Floud for thousand years well near And had before endured more then sixteen hundred year III. But what 's the time from the worlds prime unto this present day If we thereby Eternity to measure should assay The whole duration since the Creation though long yet is more little If placed by Eternity then is the smallest tittle IV. Tell every Star both near and far in Heavens bright Canopee That doth appear throughout the year of high or low degree Tell every Tree that thou canst see in this vast Wilderness Up in the Woods down by the Flouds in thousand miles progress V. The sum is vast yet not so vast but that thou mayst go on To multiply the Leaves thereby that hang those trees upon Add thereunto the drops that thou imaginest to be In April showr's that bring forth Flowr's and Blossoms plenteously VI. Number the Fowls and living Souls that through the air do flie The winged Hosts in all the Coasts beneath the starry Skie Count all the grass as thou dost pass through many a pasture land And dewy drops that on the tops of Herbs and Plants do stand VII Number the Sand upon the Strand And Atomâ—s of the air And do thy best on Man and Beast to reckon every Hair Take all the Dust if so thou lust and add to thine account Yet shall the years of sinners tears the number far suâ—mount VIII Nought joyn'd to Nought can â—e'â— make ought nor Cyphers make a Sum Nor things Finite to Infinite by multiplying come A Cockle-shell may serve as well to lave the Ocean dry As finite things and Reckonings to bound Eternity IX O happy they that live for ay with Christ in Heav'n above Who know withall that nothing shall deprive them of his love Eternity Eternity Oh were it not for thee The Saints in Bliss and Happiness could never happy be X. For if they were in any fear that this their joy might cease It would annoy if not destroy and interrupt their peace But being sure it shall endure so long as God shall live The thoughts of this unto their bliss do full perfection give XI Cheer up you Saints amidst your wants and sorrows many a one Lift up the head shake off all dread and moderate your mone Your sufferings and evil things will suddenly be past Your sweet Fruitions and blessed Visions for evermore shall last XII Lament and mourn you that must burn amidst those flaming Seas If once you come to such a doom for ever farewell ease O sad estate and desperate that never can be mended Until Gods will shall change or â—ill Eternity â—e ended XIII If any one this Question shall unto me propound What have the years of sinners tears no limits or no bound It kills our heart to think of smart and pains that last for ever And hear of fire that shall expire or be extinguish'd never XIV I 'l answer make and let them take my words as I intend them For this is all the Cordial that here I have to lend them When Heav'n shall cease to flow with peace and all felicity Then Hell may cease to be the place of wo and misery XV. When Heav'n is Hell when Ill is Well when Vertue turns to Vice When Wrong is Right when Dâ—rk is Light when Nought is of great price Then may the years of sinners tears and sufferings expire And all the hosts of damned ghosts escape out of hell-fire XVI When Christ above shall ceaâ—e to love when God shall cease to reign And be no more as heretofore the woâ—lds great Soveraign Or not be just or favour lust oâ— in mens â—iâ—s delight Then wicked men and not till then to Heav'n may take their flight XVII When Gods great Power shall be brought lower by forein Puissance Or be decay'd and weaker made through Times continuance When drousiness shall him oppress and lay him fast asleep Then sinful men may break their Pen and out of Prison creep XVIII When those in Glory shall be right sorry they may not change their place And wish to dwell with them in Hell never to see Christ's face Then those in pain may freedom gain and be with glory dight Then hellish Fiends may be Châ—ists Fâ—iends and Heirs of Heaven hight XIX Then Ah poor men what not till then nâ— not an hour before For God is just and therefore must toâ—ment them evermore Eternity Eternity thou mak'st hard hearts to bleed The thoughts of thee in miseree do make men wail indeed XX. When they remind what 's still behind and ponder this word NEVER That they must here be made